Purposes of the YRBSS  Focus the nation on behaviors among youth causing the most important health problems Violence Alcohol and other drug use Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries Sexual behaviors Tobacco use Unhealthy dietary behaviors Inadequate physical activity  Assess how risk behaviors change over time  Provide comparable data for the Nation, states, and large urban school districts

Characteristics of the National, State, and Local School-Based YRBS  9 th – 12 th grade students  Probability samples of schools and students  Anonymous  Self-administered, computer-scannable questionnaire or answer sheet  Completed in one class period (45 minutes)  Conducted biennially usually during the spring

2005 National YRBS  National probability sample of public and private schools  Total sample size = 13,917  School-level response rate = 78%  Student-level response rate = 86%  Overall response rate = 67%  National probability sample of public and private schools  Total sample size = 13,917  School-level response rate = 78%  Student-level response rate = 86%  Overall response rate = 67%

State and Local YRBS Participation 1991 – Number of states (excluding DC) Number of territories Number of cities (including DC) Total number of sites Number and percent of weighted sites N=17 45% N=33 59% N=37 61% N=43 72% N=38 61% N=38 60% N=56 80% N=64 90%

Policy and Program Applications  Describe risk behaviors  Create awareness  Set program goals  Develop programs and policies  Support health-related legislation  Seek funding  Describe risk behaviors  Create awareness  Set program goals  Develop programs and policies  Support health-related legislation  Seek funding

YRBS Measures Related to Violence  *Carried a weapon; carried a gun  In a physical fight; injured in a physical fight  ON SCHOOL PROPERTY *Carried a weapon *In a physical fight *Threatened or injured with a weapon Had property stolen or damaged  Did not go to school because of safety concerns  Dating violence; forced to have sexual intercourse

YRBS Measures Related to Suicide  Seriously considered suicide  Made a suicide plan  Attempted suicide  Suicide attempt treated by a doctor or nurse  Seriously considered suicide  Made a suicide plan  Attempted suicide  Suicide attempt treated by a doctor or nurse

YRBS Measures Related to Alcohol and Other Drug Use (1)  Lifetime and current use of *Alcohol *Marijuana Cocaine  Lifetime use of: Illegal injection drugs Inhalants Illegal steroids Hallucinogens Heroin Methamphetamine Ecstasy

YRBS Measures Related to Alcohol and Other Drug Use (2)  Episodic heavy drinking  ON SCHOOL PROPERTY *Drank alcohol *Used marijuana *Offered, sold, or given an illegal drug  BEFORE AGE 13 Drank alcohol Tried marijuana  Episodic heavy drinking  ON SCHOOL PROPERTY *Drank alcohol *Used marijuana *Offered, sold, or given an illegal drug  BEFORE AGE 13 Drank alcohol Tried marijuana

Sample Optional Measures Related to Violence and Drug Use  ON SCHOOL PROPERTY Carried a gun Harassed or bullied Hit, punched, or kicked  Cut or burn yourself on purpose  Threatened or injured as a result of gang activity  Use of painkillers, prescription drugs w/o doctor’s prescription, over-the-counter drugs to get high  Attended school under influence of alcohol or other illegal drugs

Sample Optional Measures Related to Protective Factors  How often do parents: Talk to you about what you are doing at school? Ask where you are going or with whom you will be?  Do you eat meals with family?  Is there a teacher or other adult in school you can talk to?  Do you feel safe and secure at school?  Do you feel like you belong at this school?  Is harassment and bullying a problem at school?

Percentage of High School Students Who Were in a Physical Fight on School Property,* by Sex** and Race/Ethnicity,*** 2005 *One or more times during the 12 months preceding the survey; ** M > F; *** B, H > W Source: CDC, National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2005

Percentage of High School Students Who Were in a Physical Fight on School Property,* 1993 – 2005 * One or more times during the 12 months preceding the survey; 1 Significant linear decrease and quadratic change, P <.05 Source: CDC, National Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, 1993 – 2005

Range and Median Percentage of High School Students Who Were in a Physical Fight on School Property,* Across 40 States and 21 Cities, 2005 *One or more times during the 12 months preceding the survey Source: State and Local Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, 2005

Percentage of High School Students Who Were Offered, Sold, or Given an Illegal Drug by Someone on School Property,* by Selected States *During the 12 months preceding the survey Source: State Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, 2005

Percentage of High School Students Who Did Not Go to School Because of Safety Concerns,* by Selected Large Urban School Districts *On >1 of the 30 days preceding the survey Source: Local Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, 2005

Sample YRBS Articles Related to Violence and Substance Use  Violence-related behaviors among high school students—United States,  Substance use on school property among students attending alternative high schools in the United States  Effect of the incident at Columbine on students’ violence- and suicide-related behaviors  Sexual activity and substance use among adolescents by category of physical activity plus team sports participation

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System Components  National, state and local school-based YRBS  National household-based YRBS  National college YRBS  National alternative high school YRBS  Steps YRBS  Special population YRBS  Psychometric studies

School Health Profiles

School Health Profiles - Methods  Conducted by state and local education and health agencies  Conducted biennially during the spring  Systematic equal-probability sample of secondary schools  Questionnaires mailed to principal and lead health education teacher  Conducted by state and local education and health agencies  Conducted biennially during the spring  Systematic equal-probability sample of secondary schools  Questionnaires mailed to principal and lead health education teacher

State and Local Participation in School Health Profiles, 1998 – Number of states (excluding DC) Number of cities (including DC) Total number of sites Percent of sites with generalizable data 77%75%77%70%80%

School Health Profiles 2006 – Sample Topics  Health education topics, materials, policies, and teaching methods  Health-related staff development and professional preparation  Education and policies related to: HIV prevention Tobacco-use prevention Nutrition Physical activity  Policies related to physical education and nutrition service  Asthma management activities

Sample School Health Profiles Measures Related to Violence Prevention  Closed campus  Use of staff or adult volunteers to monitor hallways  Routine bag, desk, or locker checks  Require school uniforms, ID badges  Use metal detectors  Employ police or security guards during regular school day  Implement peer mediation program

Percentage of Secondary Schools That Provided a Full-Time Registered Nurse All Day, Every Day by Selected Large Urban School Districts, 2004 Source: CDC, School Health Profiles, 2004

Percentage of Secondary Schools in Which Students Could Buy Chocolate Candy,* by Selected States, 2004 *Among schools that allowed students to purchase snack foods or beverages from vending machines or at the school store, canteen, or snack bar Source: CDC, School Health Profiles, 2004